Wireless Zone and TCC nationwide have teamed up and will donated 235,000 backpacks full of school supplies in the fifth annual ‘School Rocks’ backpack giveaway.

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Wireless Zone, the nation’s largest wireless retail franchise offering exclusive Verizon products and services, is partnering with The Cellular Connection (TCC) and Culture of Good to donate backpacks full of school supplies to children in need across West Hartford through the brand’s fifth annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

The giveaway, taking place at participating Wireless Zone locations nationwide, is bigger than ever before with more than 235,000 backpacks full of school supplies expected to be delivered in 2017. Since 2013, TCC has donated more than 495,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to ensure children are well prepared for the start of the school year.

The Wireless Zone store at 712 North Main St. in West Hartford will be participating, and donating 125 backpacks. All leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools.

More than 1,300 participating Wireless Zone and TCC stores across the U.S. are inviting local families and their children to visit participating locations on Sunday, July 23, between 1 and 4 p.m. to pick up a backpack filled with various school supplies – including pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, and glue. One backpack per child present will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

“Every year, TCC employees and communities around the country look forward to the backpack giveaway,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of TCC. “It brings our employees immense joy to give back to the young children in their communities, and we are proud to put so many smiles on the faces of the deserving families who have made this annual event such a success.”

“Wireless Zone is extremely proud to be part of such an amazing movement, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with TCC on an initiative like the backpack giveaway that aligns so well with our core values,” said Dave Staszewski, executive vice president of Wireless Zone. “Since 2003, our franchisees have committed to giving back through the Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving, which provides grants to a wide variety of impactful organizations. We are thrilled to add Culture of Good as another partner in creating a lasting impact in the communities we serve.”

In 2015, the National Retail Federation predicted the average person with children in grades K-12 would spend $97.74 on school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, and backpacks. With more than 16 million children in the U.S. living in poverty, Wireless Zone and TCC are working to alleviate the rising costs of school supplies through this annual program.

TCC commits to making ongoing investments in the communities in which it does business through its Culture of Good program. In 2015, those efforts included donating $1 million to Indiana University Health System’s Riley Hospital for Children, providing 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children, giving supply packs to 5,000 teachers and contributing $100,000 in grants to organizations focused on improving the environment.

Supporters of the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway are encouraged to use the hashtag #cultureofgood on Instagram and Twitter to help spread the word.